BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Arlington Boosts Stakes; Adds St. Leger

Boosted by money from the Horse Racing Equity Trust Fund, Arlington Park has proposed a 2012 stakes schedule of 26 stakes races worth $5.8 million during the 90-day meet at the Chicago, Ill.-area track.

May Be a Way Forward for Illinois Tracks

Although Gov. Gov. Pat Quinn has said there will be no slots at tracks on his watch, there may yet be a way forward for racetracks as part of gaming expansion in Illinois.

Wagering Improves at Arlington Park

Average daily all-sources handle on Arlington Park's 2011 live racing was up 3% over 2010, but still remained significantly lower than 2009 figures.

IRB Protects Spring Meet at Hawthorne in 2012

The Illinois Racing Board Sept. 27 rejected a 2011 racing dates proposal that would have eliminated the spring meet at Hawthorne Race Course, including the grade III Illinois Derby.

Rivelli Wins First Arlington Training Title

Trainer Larry Rivelli, who had a two-win advantage over conditioner Scott Becker entering the closing day of the 2011 Arlington Park season Sept. 25, officially earned his first trainer championship at the Chicago-area track.

Full Field of 14 Drawn for Pucker Up

An overflow field of 14 3-year-old fillies was entered for $100,000 Pucker Up Stakes (gr. IIIT) Sept. 17 at Arlington Park.

Juvenile Stakes in Spotlight at Arlington

Juveniles of both sexes take the spotlight Sept. 10 at Arlington Park, with the $100,000 Arlington-Washington Futurity (gr. III) and the $100,000 Arlington-Washington Lassie (gr. III) each sharing top billing.

Party Time for Mister Marti Gras in Wash Park

Lothenbach Stable's Mister Mardi rallied from far back to get his first graded stakes win, taking the $100,000 Washington Park Handicap (gr. III) at Arlington.

Officials Argue Over Illinois Racing Future

The fate of Illinois racing increasingly seems to be held hostage in a tug-of-war between Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel--a showdown that involves both substance and a test of wills.

Arlington Increases Purses by $10k

Arlington Park announced Aug. 23 that average purse distribution will be increased by $10,000 per day from $202,000 to $212,000, effective with the Thursday, Aug. 25 racing program.

Treasure Beach Game in Secretariat Win

Making his United States debut, English-bred Treasure Beach gamely held off fellow European invader Ziyarid to post a neck victory in the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) Aug. 13 at Arlington Park.

THS: Arlington Million 2011

Jason, Ian and Tim handicap the Arlington Million and Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park this weekend.

Watch Video

European Treasure Beach Secretariat Favorite

Despite making his first start in North America, European-based grade I winner Treasure Beach was tabbed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite for the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) Aug. 13 at Arlington Park.

Cape Blanco, Gio Ponti Meet Again in Million

Two-time reigning champion Gio Ponti will take another shot at winning his second Arlington Million (gr. IT) when he faces nine rivals in the prestigious race Aug. 13 at Arlington Park.

Ten Pre-Entered for Arlington Million

Pre-entries for the Arlington Million, Beverly D. Stakes, and Secretariat Stakes (all gr. IT) closed Aug. 6 with 10 older horses named to the 29th running of the Arlington Million.

Top Arlington Rider Santana Gets 1,000th Win

Jockey Jozbin Santana notched the 1,000th victory of his career July 8 when he guided Clocker Bob to a four-length win for trainer James DiVito in the seventh race at Arlington Park.

Arlington Re-Accredited on Safety, Integrity

Arlington Park has become the fourth racetrack to earn re-accreditation from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Safety and Integrity Alliance.

Juniper Pass Ships East for Arlington 'Cap

Juniper Pass, winner of consecutive grade II races in California, tops a field of 10 in the $150,000 Arlington Handicap (gr. IIIT) July 9 at Arlington Park.

River Jetez - Video Profile

A profile of South African group I winning mare River Jetez, whose future plans include the Beverly D at Arlington Park.

Watch Video

Evans: Illinois Slots a 'Two-Edged' Sword

Alternative gaming in Illinois would be good for Arlington Park but could potentially have a negative impact on Kentucky, according to the chairman of Churchill Downs Inc.

Arlington Fund-Raiser for Horse Rescue

Galloping Out Thoroughbred Rescue Fund will hold its annual fund-rasier in the paddock area at Arlington Park following the last race on Saturday, June 25.

Indian Rider Narredu Wins First U.S. Race

Jockey Suraj Narredu, a native of India who reached the 1,000-career win milestone faster than any other rider in that nation's history, rode his first winner in the United States at Arlington Park May 29.

Jockeys Decide Not to Ride at Rainy Arlington

The May 29 live racing program at Arlington Park was canceled following the second race when the jockeys chose not to ride.

'Hops' Favored For Hanshin Cup

A field of nine older runners will face off in the May 21 Hanshin Cup (gr. III) at Arlington Park, including defending champion Country Flavor.

One Good Win Deserves Another for New Trainer

Trainer Joe Griffitt was elated when he registered his first career victory in the first race at Arlington Park May 13. The 21-year-old conditioner doubled his pleasure two races later.

Duchossois: Slots Revenue Would Be Welcome

Arlington Park chairman Richard L. Duchossois said he doesn't know if the racetrack can survive unless the Illinois legislature finally allows Arlington to add slot machines.

Arlington Park Revamps Wagering Format

Arlington Park plans to lower the minimum wager on the Pick 4 and Pick 5 to 50 cents and lower the takeout rate on the Pick 5 and High 5 to 15%.

Arlington Purses to be Based on Field Sizes

Arlington Park and Illinois horsemen have agreed to tie individual race purses to field size this year in an effort to ensure more bettable races.

Arlington Releases 2011 Stakes Schedule

Highlighted by the Arlington Million (gr. IT), Arlington Park will offer 22 stakes races worth more than $4.2 million during its 86 days of racing in 2011. The meet runs from May 6 through Sept. 25.

Interests Say They Had Votes for IL Slots

Illinois racing interests say they had enough votes to pass a slots-at-tracks bill this week and some say they were sold out by measure's sponsor in the waning hours of the legislative session.

Sudberry Named to Arlington Park Position

Veteran television sportscaster Howard Sudberry has been named senior director of marketing and communications at Arlington Park.

TCA to Honor Duchossois at Jan. 9 Dinner

Prominent horse owner, breeder, and racetrack owner Richard Duchossois will be honored as the Thoroughbred Club of America's Honored Guest at the annual Testimonial Dinner on Jan. 9.

Illinois Senate OKs Gaming Bill; House Next

Illinois senators approved a major expansion of casino gambling, including racetrack slot machines, Dec. 1, but the measure must now pass the House of Representatives and be signed by Gov. Pat Quinn.

Petrillo Named Arlington Park GM

Tony Petrillo has been promoted to general manager of Arlington Park.

Arnold Resigns as Arlington President

Roy Arnold has resigned as president of Arlington Park and its OTB affiliates, Churchill Downs Inc. announced Oct. 11.

Illinois Dates Approved for 2011

Fairmount Park in southern Illinois received approval Sept. 28 for 75 racing dates in 2011, up from the 52 days of live racing this year.

Catalano Stacked For Arlington 2YO Stakes

Juveniles of both sexes take the spotlight Sept. 11 at Arlington Park with the $100,000 Arlington-Washington Futurity (gr. III) and $100,000 Arlington-Washington Lassie (gr. III) sharing top billing on the nine-race card.

Rash of Etodolac Positives at Arlington Park

More than a half-dozen horses, including the winner of the Arlington Oaks (gr. III), have tested positive for the anti-inflammatory drug Etodolac in tests following races at Arlington Park.

Paddy O'Prado Gets Grade I in Secretariat

Donegal Racing's Paddy O'Prado earned his first grade I win in the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes, taking over in upper stretch and bounding home to victory as the 1-2 favorite Aug. 21 at Arlington Park.

Paddy O'Prado Eyes Grade I Win in Secretariat

After a solid showing on the Triple Crown trail, Paddy O'Prado has emerged as the top 3-year-old turf horse in the nation following a pair of graded stakes wins at Colonial Downs.

Five Vie for Favoritism in an Open Beverly D.

Tuscan Evening's sad demise earlier this month has left the $750,000 Beverly D. devoid of any obvious favorite on Arlington Million day Aug. 21 at Arlington Park.

Churchill Downs Stands Out Among CDI Tracks

Boosted by record earnings during Kentucky Derby Week, wagering at Churchill Downs fared much better through the first six months of 2010 than tracks have on the national level.

ADW Fee Cap Impacting Illinois Racing

A 5% cap imposed by the Illinois Racing Board on account wagering fees charged by out-of-state racetracks to send their signals to customers in Illinois has led to a significant downturn in wagering from those sources.

Informed Decision Heads Chicago Handicap

Informed Decision, last year's champion female sprinter, returns to Arlington Park to to defend her title in the $100,000 Chicago Handicap (gr. III).

Arlington Trims Stakes Schedule by $725,000

Arlington Park and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horseman's Association board of directors have agreed to trim stakes purses by $725,000 during 11 stakes races for the remainder of the 2010 meet, officials announced June 11.

IL Horsemen, Tracks to Assist Retired Horses

The Illinois Thoroughbred Horseman's Association, Arlington Park, and Hawthorne Race Course have agreed to cooperate in a program to provide for the care of retired Thoroughbred racehorses.

TOBA to Hold Owner Seminar at Arlington Park

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association will conduct a New Thoroughbred Owner Seminar on Friday, June 11, at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Ill.

American 1000 Guineas Draws Field of Nine

Graded stakes winner Bay to Bay leads a field of nine in the American 1000 Guineas May 22 at Arlington Park. The race will be run at one mile on turf and share the spotlight with its male counterpart the Arlington Classic.

Douglas Files Suit Over 2009 Accident

Former jockey Rene Douglas, who was paralyzed in an accident at Arlington Park on May 23, 2009, has sued the racetrack and other parties in connection with the incident.

TOBA to Hold Breeding Clinic in Lexington

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announced May 10 that it will hold a Thoroughbred Breeding Clinic May 21-May 23 in Lexington.